Hydrangea plant named `BCHY-11.026&#39;.

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-11.026’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ has attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive, nonuniform sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. Sepalous florets ring the non-sepalous florets in the center of the inforescence.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.026’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-11.026’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.026’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent. The pollen parent, ‘BC8.3’, is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,507, filed Apr. 8, 2013, and issued May 5, 2015. The parent ‘8.1’ has attractive inflorescences but a growth habit that is not suitable for commercial production of ornamental potted plants. The plant ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong.

The new variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ has relatively large sepalous florets, non-uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. ‘BCHY-11.026’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that ring the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle. The color of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety ‘Venedig’ U.S. U.S. which may be U.S. Plant Pat. Plant Pat. Plant Pat. New Variety 23,757 25,507 10,928 ‘BCHY-11.026’ ‘BC6.1’ ‘BC8.3’ ‘Venice Raven’ Leaf size  8 cm wide × 12 cm wide × 10 cm × 16 cm 11 cm wide x 10 cm long 15 cm long 15.5 cm long-source U.S. Plant Pat. 10,928 Plant height 13″ in 4.5″ pot. 15″ in 6″ pot. 15″ in 6″ pot 12″ in 6″ pot- observed controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Stem strength Strong Stems are Stems are Strong-observed strong but relatively controls grown benefit from strong. alongside ‘BC6.1’. being staked Sepal Both sides of Upper side of Upper side of Upper side of Pigmentation sepals are sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. R.H.S. 68 C (red- 86 A (violet 73 A (red- 84 A (violet purple group). group); Under purple group) group). Under side side of sepals is in center, and of sepals is R.H.S. R.H.S. 88 D margins of 85 A (violet group) (violet group) sepals are observed controls R.H.S. 56 A grown alongside (red group). ‘BC6.1’. Sepalous Floret 70 mm 70 mm 50 mm to 70 mm-observed Size—Diameter 60 mm controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-11.026’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCHY-11.026’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the floor of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BCHY-11.026’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment with aluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a             seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented             variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the             commercial variety ‘13C8.3’ which was the pollen parent.             ‘BC8.3’ is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,507.         -   Form.—Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature             inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 13″             high and has a diameter of 16″ when grown in a 4.5″ pot with             appropriate soil amendments.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is             medium. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the             base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in             appearance and form to the main stems.         -   Stems.—Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A             (violet group) and are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young             stems is glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color             of typical young stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S.             145 A (yellow-green group). The older portions of the stems             are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the             stems are 5 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are             5-7 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral             branches. Shape of leaf. — Ovate with rounded base and acute             apex. Margins are serrate. Texture. — Glabrous; veins             dominate on the underside of the leaf and are sunken on the             upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature leaves have an upper             side that is R.H.S. 137 A (green group), and an under side             that is R.H.S. 138 A (green group). Leaves are pinnately             veined. The midvein and veins branching off the midvein are             large and prominent on the underside of the leaves. Veins             are R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as             8 cm and 10 cm long. Petioles are smooth and approximately 3             cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 145 A             (yellow-green group). -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals.             Most buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or             non-sepalous florets, have 5 petals. Buds in the center of             the inflorescence are non-sepalous. The minority of buds             will develop into sepalous florets. The buds are             approximately 2 mm by 2 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm             in diameter and still unopened. Color of mature buds is             R.H.S. 73 C (red-purple group).         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 150 individual             florets (both sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence.             Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets borne on the             same panicle. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The             peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Many             non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are             later ringed by the sepalous florets that form at the             outside of the panicle. Florets, both sepalous and             non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are             long-lasting.         -   Size of inflorescence.—Compact and flat. Individual             inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A             typical inflorescence can grow as large as 7″ in diameter,             and 3″ high.         -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets             overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.         -   Appearance.—not showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 5 petals. Petals             fall off easily of the non-sepalous florets. Petals are             typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 155 D             (white group). Few lenticels are present on pedicels of both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets, lenticels are no more             than 1 mm long and very narrow. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets             averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous florets is             approximately 20 to 25 mm in length for plants of this age.             Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets continue             to elongate as the inflorescence ages. Pedicels can be 73 D             (red-purple group) to R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group) near             floret when mature.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Filament is approximately 2 to 4             mm long. Filament is R.H.S. 73 D (purple group). Anther is 1             mm long, regular and basally attached.         -   Stigma.—Two to three style each, although most florets have             two style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 1             mm long. Style is R.H.S. 73 D (red-purple group). Stigma is             R.H.S. 73 D (purple group).         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.         -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside             of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 to 5 sepals per floret,             usually 4. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape             of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire,             but with much crenation. Size of sepals. — Sepals at             maturity are typically 40 mm long and 40 mm wide. Sepalous             florets are typically 70 mm in diameter. The upper sides of             the sepals are R.H.S. 68 C (red-purple group) and the             undersides are the same. Pigmentation develops at the tips             of the sepals and travels inward towards base of the sepals.             Pigmentation lightens as the sepals reach maturity.             Pigmentation of mature florets is 73 D (red-purple group).         -   Fruit.—none.         -   Disease and pest resistance.—unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BCHY-11.026’ substantially as herein shown and described. 